Friday, May 31, 2013

A Pittsburgh man has
been fined $1,100 after he presented a wildlife conservation officer with a
phony shooting-range permit he could have bought legitimately for $30.

The Pennsylvania Game
Commission views the case as a timely reminder for those who take target
practice at ranges on state game lands, where most participants who do not
possess valid hunting or furtaker licenses must hold permits to use the range. Both hunting licenses
and shooting-range permits for 2013-14 go on sale soon.

Hunting licenses go
on sale June 10, three weeks before the start of the new license year. Those
needing shooting-range permits for 2013-14 must wait until July 1 to buy them.
The permits that are on sale now are valid until June 30. The next permit
period runs from July 1 to June 30, 2014.

Those who will need
licenses and permits in the coming months might be able to save themselves some
trouble by buying them soon after they go on sale.

The Game Commission
in 2011 began requiring permits for range shooters without hunting licenses as a
way to make sure all who use the agency’s firearms ranges contribute to the
cost of their upkeep. Licensed hunters and furtakers are required to carry
their licenses with them while using the ranges.

The range at which
the counterfeit permit was presented is part of State Game Lands 203 in
Allegheny County. Wildlife Conservation
Officer Dan Puhala said the range sees heavy use and he often patrols there.
While at the range on March 13, Puhala observed a target shooter fire a series
of about 10 shots, which he said was in violation of range rules that dictate a
three-shot limit. Puhala asked to see the man’s shooting-range permit, and
while the man presented a permit to the officer, it turned out to be
counterfeit.

While shooting-range
permits can be purchased online and printed at home, they have distinguishing
markings that identify them as authentic, Puhala said.

The man was charged for
the range violation and for possessing the counterfeit permit, and he pleaded
guilty on Thursday to both counts. All told, the man was fined $1,100 and he
faces a possible five-year revocation of his shooting-range permit and hunting-license
privileges.

Shooting-range permits cost $30 per
year for residents and nonresidents. Those 15 years of age and younger do not
need a permit if they are properly accompanied by a licensed or permitted
person 18 years of age or older. Additionally, each licensed hunter or range
permit holder can bring along one unpermitted or unlicensed guest.

Like hunting licenses, shooting-range
permits are valid from July 1 to June 30 each year. The permits can be
purchased online at “The Outdoor Shop” on the Game Commission’s website
(www.pgc.state.pa.us). Following the purchase, which requires payment by credit
or debit cards, a downloadable permit is provided and can be printed on a home
computer. The agency sells the permits through its Harrisburg headquarters and
six region offices. However, since the purchase will be processed through “The
Outdoor Shop,” only credit and debit cards are used for payment.

Hunting licenses also can be
purchased online through the Game Commission’s website, and are available
through a host of issuing agents. Countywide lists of issuing agents also are
available at the commission’s website.

30 May was the last chance for me to fill my Spring turkey tag and I did not get it done. Adam and I hunted hard yesterday in the 85 degree temperatures but could not get a bird to come into our decoy set.

After several hours I could not take the heat any longer and had to pack it in. On the way out of the ground blind location we seen four Jakes in a yard close to a guys front porch.... Yes we were thrilled at that. That's why it's called hunting folks.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The last day of Spring Turkey is 31 May, it's getting down to hours left to hunt. I plan on going out later today and hopefully catch a Tom coming into roost, wish me luck. Otherwise it's tag soup for me and I hate soup.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

ARCHERS: Don't forget, the IBO Qualifier 3D Shoot at Falcon Archers in Canonsburg, PA is this weekend on June 1 & 2.

Don't miss out if you need this qualifier to go to the IBO Worlds in August. It's $20.00 to qualify; $10.00 for the local shoot. Shoot a second time on Sunday for $5.00 (for qualifiers and regular shooters). If a qualifier shoots a second score on Sunday, we'll submit your best of the two scores to IBO for the qualifier.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Monday, May 13, 2013

It was only 35 degree's this morning at 5 am when I rolled out of my van and into my ground blind. I thought this was Spring turkey season, not winter...ugh

I did not even hear a bird today let alone see one. I am hoping for better luck and warmer weather later this week. Don't forget, today starts all day hunting here in Pa. Good luck, shoot straight, and be safe.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Pennsylvania turkey hunters are permitted to hunt from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, beginning Monday, May 13. The expanded hunting hours continue through the last day of the season, Friday, May 31.

All-day hunting during the second half of the spring season began in 2011 to provide interested hunters with more time to be afield.“By the second half of the season, hunter participation decreases significantly and nesting hens are less prone to abandon nests,” said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. “All-day hunting during this portion of the season has had minimal impact to nesting.”

Casalena said the overall spring harvest since 2011 has not increased from previous harvests. Since 2011, afternoon and evening harvests have comprised 6 percent of the total reported harvests and 22 percent of harvests during the all-day portion of the seasons. In other words, even during the all-day portions of the season, 78 percent of the harvests have occurred before noon.

Casalena said the majority of the afternoon and evening harvests have occurred between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Last year’s latest reported harvest was 8:50 p.m., about 20 minutes before the close of hunting hours in the western part of the state